Child Neglect Scenario
Gabriele is a 3-year-old boy coming to the emergency room via helicopter unconscious due to being found at the bottom of the pool by his grandfather. The boy was resuscitated by the grandfather but never regained consciousness. The ER staff immediately induced a coma in the boy and lowered his body temperature to stop any damage to the brain. The grandfather reports that he went to visit his daughter but found the boy at the bottom of the pool when going through the yard. The Mother arrived with the boy’s grandfather and reported that she was in the shower and thought she had locked all the doors. The mother of Gabriele is 19 years old. The nurse will immediately notify the division of child protective services to report a case of neglect.
***Please comment on this***
I live in New Jersey, so the mandated reporter statute consists of any individual who has reasonable suspicion of child abuse, or neglect is required by law to contact the NJ child abuse hotline (1877 NJ ABUSE), DCF’s Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P), or local authorities. Failure to do so will result in the person will be convicted of a disorderly person charge. The report must contain names, and addresses of the guardian/parent and child, the child’s age (if known), a description of the child’s injuries, neglect or abuse, any evidence of injuries, and any information that will assist in the apprehension of the perpetrator.
Anyone acting pursuant to the New Jersey statute section 3 of P.L.1971, c. 437 (C. 9:6-8.10) will have immunity from any criminal or civil liability, even regarding testimony given in court regarding the report. If a person reports in good faith and is discriminated against or discharged from employment due to the report, they are entitled to file a cause of action for compensation in the family section of the chancery division of the superior court in the county where the discrimination occurred. If the court finds that there was discrimination, the individual shall have a reinstatement of employment, back pay, and any legal relief as granted by the court.
As a medical professional, it is my duty to advocate for the patients under my care. In the case of children, if I suspect a case of neglect or abuse, the division of child protective services is immediately contacted, and a report is filed. They record the incident and come to the facility to question the guardians, parents, or children. Furthermore, the local police are also contacted since the local authorities must be notified. When a child comes to the ER with severe injuries or signs of neglect, the medical staff must call child protective services to begin an investigation.